Welcome to the DUNGENESS Spit...the LONGEST natural sand spit in the U.S.! Plus, Q&A [MV FREEDOM]

[@WhoisJohn1773]

"Prop shaft line cutter" on my Minesweeper in the 70s, we had a cable we deployed with kites to take them out behind the ship to cut the cable of moored mines. It had a cable cutter that had a trigger in the jaws & a .45 caliber shell that closed the cutter, cutting the cable & allowing the mine to float to the surface where we shot it with a MA deuce .50 caliber

[@quicksilver2446]

There is nothing like The Pacific Northwest cruising. We left crowded, rainy Vancouver 25 years ago for sunny Florida, and although we love the daily dose of Vitamin D here, we miss the abundance of seafood, the honey cured salmon, and the magical sunsets ! Keep up the great videos !

[@normamimosa5991]

Elizabeth, you are so lucky to have Shawn, with his incredible engineering skills and ability to do all that is necessary on your boat, with you, of course, keeping everything clean and in working order -- so important, I am sure, for safety and just living in a nice, organized, clean space, not to forget keeping costs down by maintaining the boat.

[@athommen1]

Happy Sunday All! What an awesome sunrise we're allowed to see there. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@mathbrown9099]

Shawn and Elizabeth it’s fun to use one’s hard earned training and skills. Master Captaincy make a huge difference in your decision-making around safety. Great training.

[@EastBayLife510]

this is the best video on your channel.. 👍

[@TheRiehlThing42]

My cousin, a friend of mine, and I have hiked the Dungeness Spit out to the light house. Took some photos, just had my phone then. My cousin had his nicer camera. Was about 12 years ago, I believe. I love that part of Washington and I try to go up there whenever I can. Went kayaking in Crescent Lake last September, was amazing. My grandparents lived outside of Port Townsend when I was growing up, would visit them every Summer for a couple weeks, was a blast up there.

[@charlie57fyiusa]

As an old retired tug boat shipper moving big barges , cargo ships ,& aircraft carriers around I have had a few problems with pleasure crafts cutting me off or just getting in the way. The rule is, "TONNAGE has the right of way." It takes a modern aircraft carrier moving at 35 knots 7 to 8 miles just to come to a stop ! I think you get the drift. No pun intended. I do enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.👍

[@epe1238]

I gave up even following the rules as nobody but the pros even have a clue. It's just chaos. Even a simple sounding of the horn to announce your intentions and people look at you like you're being rude. So around pros follow the rules, rest of time expect to be killed by or watch an idiot kill themselves.

[@charlie57fyiusa]

Thank you for your videos. Love them. You both make everyone think about how we can do what your doing and getting paid to do. But, back to right of way, the rule is TONNAGE has the right of way. You need to be a courteous boater. If in dought be the bigger skipper, less problems in the long run. Happy cruising. Thank you. Charlie.

[@jackterry7664]

Thank you for not having ALL those annoying commercials popping up on your Blogs.

[@markadams7899]

My feeling on encounter with a ferry has always been the same.... treat it like a taxi on land, they have a schedule to keep and I'm just cruising...I give them room and don't really expect any radio courtesy although it would be nice. Pick your battles. You two are awesome love your channel

[@seadawg4278]

This one of your best videos! Great storyline, music, narration. Keep up the great work!

[@MrRonnmaui]

Very enjoyable! Love your choice of tunes and editing is seamless. Food looks great too. I feel like I just took a trip on Sunday morning. Nice work.

[@billdillard885]

Spectacular scenery! Hard to replicate those Great NW looks…. When the weather co-ops!! 😎

[@graemewoodruff9988]

An amazing spot!

[@johnburke7462]

Hi guys We are missing your next video. We enjoy them very much. John and Janet in France.

[@jimbuscemi1547]

I love your videos! Regarding the ferries and the rules of the road, it’s possible that they fall within one the priority classifications of either being “Restricted by their ability to maneuver (RAM)” or “Constrained by draft (CBD)”. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your resuming the videos and seeing what projects and upgrades you are planning! Cheers!

[@tedbellWRV]

Love your channel and it lets me re-live my cruising of Puget Sound when my kids were young. About the ferries and right of way - some background on how a ferry captain thinks. Not a justification for violating rules, I just mention this so you can know your "adversary", so to speak. Just 20 or so years ago, there were still ferries in service on Puget Sound that did not have wheelhouse control. That is, the engine control back then was still via "telegraph". The captain in the pilot house sent a signal to the engineer in the engine room and the forward-reverse and power was adjusted accordingly. Of course, this involved quite a time lag. Some of the ferry captains today grew up in this era. Even the old ferries that were modernized by retrofit with wheelhouse control were a bit sketch. The old timers will remember the Issaquah Class ferries, and Ross-Hill controls on the Super Class. Both had engine control systems cobbled together in someone's garage - a la Steve Jobs and Wozniak in the early days of Apple. Move the throttle position too fast on an Issaquah and the controls were programmed to shut down the engine. This prevented damage to the engine, but was frightening on final approach to a ferry dock - where you had to maintain enough speed for steerage in a cross wind or cross current, but also needed the engine to be able to back down at the last minute for landing. To keep things stone simple, reliable and easy (cheap) to maintain, Washington State's ferries had no thrusters. Some of the ferries were diesel-electric, with the ability to apply 100% torque to the propellers at zero rpm. The Issaquah Class had changeable-pitch propellers that could be feathered to control speed with direct drive to diesel propulsion. But in both cases, you were steering with a rudder - and on some ferries, it had to be locked in place on the "front" end. You could not steer both ends of the boat. So while the right of way is the right of way, I can imagine some old time ferry captains, knowing their vessel's limitations, decided a long ago they will take the initiative and let the pleasure boat captains "deal with it", especially when close to landing at the dock. If you have been on a ferry docking at Friday Harbor, Lopez or Edmonds during adverse weather and tides, you will understand. They are also looking at their master's license vis-a-vis the safety of the hundreds, if not thousands of souls aboard. Ditto for ferries in other parts of the country. Over the years, I've worked with many of the ferry captains in North America, and docking at the Whitehall ferry terminal in New York where the Staten Island Ferry docks at the south end of Manhattan (where the East River meets the Hudson River) can be one tough place to dock. NYC did put Voith-Schneider into some of their boats, but later regretted it because it was too "complex" and required service techs from Germany. At least the city's bean counters regretted it, I don't think the captains did. I also have a vague memory of special rules for ferries on final approach to the dock - as in the final 1000 yards. Plus, the ferries have a security zone around them, as I recall. I believe you cannot approach the ferry or ferry terminal within a certain distance due to 9-11 security. Not sure if my memory is foggy, but it might be worth checking the Notice to Mariners, were some of the obscure rules get posted.

[@wlismyid]

Loved the drone shots. Beautiful

[@Talldylocks]

Love the Q+A section - always worth watching. Thanks guys!

[@joegreen2226]

Good Sunday to you.

[@ksc826]

Thanks for another great video. My guess is that a perfect day like yours come all to seldom. So enjoy.

[@darrylmcleman6456]

I can see a lot of the Olympic mountain range across the St. of JDF out my window.Viewing from southwest Vancouver Island.

[@chriscarney204]

Nice video. You’ve left us hanging on two issues, the parade collision and the table. How about an update?

[@michaelmcnett3808]

I'm a complete noob, but does this apply to the situation with container ships? I saw this in a "Who has the right of way guide" Rule number 9 - Narrow Channels, Inland states that: "(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters [65 feet] in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

[@mvfreedom]

Container ships operate in the shipping channels so we give way to them.

[@vraymond108]

Red sky in morning…….did you next head into Sequim Bay? As many times as I have passed the Spit I have never anchored there. I have been tempted to anchor in Dungeness Bay (we have a shallow draft) but so far, well let’s just say, I have had the courage at the right time. But Sequim Bay is another story and no, John Wayne Marina, is not the only choice there. Besides just anchoring south of the Marina in a lovely cove. In addition there is the State Park and other delightful anchorages throughout the bay. Enjoy! I know you have the 40 but the 46 is my dream boat. Almost bought one in SD but it needed so much work. Oh well there will be others.

[@mvfreedom]

We’ve been to Sequim Bay and it’s one of our favorite anchorages!

[@BILLYGOAT1943]

How about a short bit on using your drone. Pictures are spectacular.

[@gordongadbois1179]

NICE VIDEO, KINDA MAKES UP FOR ALL THE RAIN. PNW IS HARD TO BEAT WHEN THE SUN IS OUT IN ALL IT'S GLORY. I THOUGHT LONG BEACH, WA. WAS THE LONGEST SPIT?

[@wekker090]

Amazing landscape.. lucky dog :-)

[@parishrickert2462]

I hope all is well. Hope to hear from you soon

[@HAIRSNIFFERBIDEN]

Great video. Thanks. Sea grass, UGH. I've had to many clogged intakes in my lifetime.

[@jerrycordle887]

Wha?? Has Anyone seen MV Freedom and its Crew..Where are you two??..We miss you .Hopefully soon we all get too see new content

[@skistrycharski6999]

Great background 🎼🎼in the blog.

[@DadKarn]

Hope all is well with you and yours and looking forward to a possible return of your wonderful weekly videos. Take care and God Bless.

[@nicholaspatton1742]

Shawn is going to do projects all the time;) Truly beautiful extended moment. What a great vid.

[@edquier40]

Always a wonderful adventure! Now, I want to see a catch and cook! Hell, even a dungeness!

[@roberthenderson4922]

FYI there is a Dungeness in the UK (kent coast in the English channel) lovely beach near it camber sands.

[@mvfreedom]

Yes this was named after the one in the UK!

[@toddgarris8448]

Currently at the Perry Hotel thanks to your recommendation. Thanks so much we love it here in the Keys! Also love your channel Ty

[@johnharrison2741]

Shawn likes things to be right, so Dungeness is in the English Channel. Beautiful scenery there👍

[@mikehamilton4357]

Another great video thank you love the birds

[@tuggytaylor]

Wow. Amazing place.. great video .

[@bobcathey8903]

Hey MV Freedom! Might need some clarity on vessel right of way. For power boats, ability to maneuver and commercial vs pleasure boat seem to be very important. I recall in locks commercial boats seem to alway have the right-of-way. Any clarification you can give to us would be very helpful. Cheers!

[@mvfreedom]

The locks are a different beast with rules, in Puget Sound we are both power driven vessels.

[@jcrabtre]

On the note of ferry right of way, I have yet to see them follow the power boat rules of right of way... around our boat at least. Made me wonder if we were supposed to treat them like commercial vessels despite what we remembered on Boattest. A few years ago there was a ridiculous incident involving Nap Tyme (who was in the head at the time + on Autopilot lolz) and the ferry Chetzemoka. This article took a look at right of way rules and who was to blame in an avoidable situation. www.passagemaker.com/.amp/trawler-news/collision-avoidance-understanding-right-of-way-to-avoid-certain-disaster

[@jonrau5988]

Thanks for the delightful ride along.

[@douglaswagner311]

Very nice video Shawn and Elizabeth…, it might be my favorite one yet… just the combination of the boating suggestions and beautiful surroundings plus the fun interactions between you two… made it really great! 🛥

[@DJL625]

Love the Video’s of the PNW .

[@dwwphoto]

Great video MV Freedom. Really enjoyed it, and the beauty of the area.

[@lindawilkins6075]

MV Freedom stumbled onto your channel while doing my research on Nordhavn's. Just to let you we bought our 42 ' Cascade out of the same marina that you berth Freedom at back in 2000. We spent a week getting her ready and then sailed to HI. Spent the night at Port T, Port A and 2 nights at Negh Bay around the corner then to Astoria, New Port and on to Eureka, CA. Topped off fuel, water bagels, scotch and 17 days 6 hours later pulled into Honolulu. The day I bought the sailboat was the first time I was ever on a sailboat. A week later started a blue water crossing. Pegasus has been to every island in HI except the big island. Now looking for a Nordhavn. Love the channel. This is Dennis not Linda

[@mini-montauk-adventures]

I hiked all the way to the lighthouse with my scout troop once. It's 5.5 miles each way. There is always somebody out there, I think mostly volunteers who stay there for a week at a time. I was surprised to see a grass lawn around it.

[@lorenamcgovern]

People pay to stay there a week at a time. You can book online

[@williamassumpcao5365]

That was outstanding! Thank you from Port Angeles!!

[@robertroot3790]

Great analogy ("Think of your house moving 2x week...earthquake"), very apt.

[@jeffslaven]

What a lovely anchorage!

[@jeanne-gord7685]

Have you ever anchored up the peninsula at Salt Creek - Crescent Beach? We were camping there the same days you were at Dungeness, enjoying the same sunsets. That area is also a marine park.

[@user-gq2vn1xj2r]

In my 50 years of boating on Puget Sound and northern waters, I have never once seen a Washington State Ferry give way to a pleasure craft. Even though the COLREGS may view you as both motorized vessels without maneuverability restrictions, you should just treat it as a rule (and common sense) that you are ALWAYS the give-way vessel when it comes to ferries.

[@carolynreimel2909]

Where did you guys go? miss you

[@David-ce7hg]

Great video.

[@RichDoes..]

The original Dungeness is a beach some 12 sq. miles in S.E. England, mostly made of pebbles... the fishing is great there btw.

[@vf8080]

A pleasure vessel that has been issued a Certificate of Documentation with a recreational endorsement and is operated only for pleasure pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 12109 must yield to commercial vessels participating in VTS. Pleasure craft, even vessels under sail, do not have right-of-way over VTS participant vessels and must not impede commercial vessels in any way. All Washington State Ferries are VTS participant vessels, as are all powered vessels over 40M.

[@SuperMurf44]

Shawn looks like he is in his element when he has something to fix...

[@James-seafan]

excellent video thank you

[@ronpearce7198]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing. We have a friend who lives on Vancouver Island, near Shirley. We are in Florida and flew to see her place just before the pandemic. Getting to explore some of Vancouver Island with someone who lives there was fantastic. Their house was on a cliff overlooking the strait. Your photography is great and makes us feel as we are right there with you. Enjoy and stay safe.

[@markduncan6690]

There is that”Good Ship Freedom” !!

[@skistrycharski6999]

Crab in Ell grass, trap area for sure !

[@Janchez]

Glad you guys finally got to the spit, it is a fun place. It's pretty comfortable there if you need to duck in out of a west wind in the strait because there is no fetch in the anchorage. The wind may blast you but there is basically no wave action. It would be a safe place for you to practice anchoring in 25 knots of wind.

[@epe1238]

Sailing 101, the smaller, more manuverable vessel is the give way vessel. The big boys have the ROW.

[@DSKSeattle]

Nope. Limited maneuverability means the vessel can’t maneuver due to the nature of its work (such as dredging or towing another vessel that can’t be maneuvered). Your interpretation of the rule make no sense and is the reason why we have these situations. The Freedom cruises at 7 knots. There are lots of larger vessels that can go faster than Freedom and hence can maneuver faster. Under your interpretation of the rules, the larger vessel should give way to Freedom due to Freedom’s limited speed capability. How would that vessel know about Freedom’s speed capability?

[@lancemichael7566]

At the end of this video...yep, I cried.

[@debby6235]

Are you allowed to have a couple of crab pots or able to go clamming at all? Here in Florida there are some strict rules for shrimping, lobsters and scallops and I grew up in Chesapeake Bay Area and strict rules there on crabbing. Now I am thinking about Chesapeake blue crabs steamed in beer and old bay lol...

[@mvfreedom]

Yes starting in July usually the season opens!

[@allanstraughan1393]

Where have you gone? I sam missing you!

[@johndouglas8187]

Wanted to thank you guys so picked your latest vid. After watching your vid. on Alderbrook I was very interested since we had a charter booked. We are here now and this place is great.From the dock staff to the hotel. The dock staff even pumped us out I did not get my hands dirty !! Long way down here from Port Ludlow !

[@jomarkelly3932]

Beautiful Eagles! I love Eagles, and am happy to say we have several pair here in our area of Ohio! Fantastic video as always... Safe & Fun travels! John / Ohio

[@randybourdon2791]

When you threw in the clip “ Bueller “ you cracked me up, I couldn’t stop laughing!

[@davidbrassfield6358]

Always glad to see you guys! The ferries here in SF Bay are flying so we just avoid them at all cost.

[@bobcathey8903]

Question: Does Mr. Sully know how lucky he is to have Shawn an Elizabeth as his servants? Beautiful scenery!

[@thomasbrown782]

What a great anchorage!

[@allandarling2930]

FYI In Toronto Canada, ferries are on fixed routes and have right of way over all other vessels

[@cameronm2203]

where are you? Everything okay?

[@jaylerman7864]

Good episode. Weather cooperated and some crystal 🔮 clear images. Sunset 🌇and sunrise 🌅 were truly spectacular. Thank you.

[@billyduggins5272]

Great video you guys, what beautiful scenery!

[@earljohnson8836]

Always projects is the best perspective I've heard and love them. Keep Boating

[@craighollerin8323]

Are you guys ok? not heard from you in a couple of weeks?

[@gedm7949]

I’ve been the the UK Dungeness just today! It’s actually on the coast of a body of water called the English Channel. Interesting fact it’s also the only designated area of desert in the UK!

[@KandiSueTheBlue]

You guys do such an amazing job with your videos. We love them, always interesting and never boring. Many thanks and have a fantabulous week yourselves😎🐾⚓🦘

[@guymanges3628]

Sach a treat to be able to watch you guys... Thank you ...

[@douglaswagner311]

‘ Movin and Shakin’ …sums it up nicely

[@BCBlue]

Outstanding video. I love the Q & A segment. Thank you.

[@justinlinnane8043]

Amazing place ! the views and landscapes are stunning . Coincidentally one of my favourite places in the UK is the original Dungeness beach in East Sussex . A wild beautiful place that is Europes only natural desert !! .

[@erinmorris5630]

“Sullymander” 💙 and those mountains in the distance…💓

[@madpete6438]

We have one of these at the top of the south island - looks similar - just warmer.... Great walk (about 26 km long). Called Farewell Spit.

[@jwm4436]

You guys got it goin’ on…new adventures coming soon. :) Good episode. Enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing Life is good~

[@itsnotmeitshim]

That was odd, thought you must have rushed to the UK, we also have a Dungeness! More headland than spit though.

[@roger9453]

Great video as always. How's the on-line Capt school going?

[@rgbent4359]

Putting the spit on the list! Great video, thanks!

[@chriss2295]

18:48 This time of year around the Olympics is hard to beat.

[@marzsit9833]

the west shore of the spit is open to hikers all the way to the lighthouse, but there are restrictions. it's illegal to hike above the high tide line, and it's illegal to continue past the lighthouse. the rest of the spit is wildlife preserve and is off-limits. there used to be a dock on the east side at the lighthouse next to the helipad but it was removed years ago and it's now illegal to land a boat on the east side of the lighthouse, however you can go all the way around the spit and land on the west side, no dock however... but kayakers do it all the time. the lighthouse is staffed year-round with volunteers who give tours of the lighthouse and you can walk around the fenced area, there are picnic tables on the site as well.

[@ThisIsWhereMyNameGoes]

I guessed right. I think I should get Shawn's Buoy hat as a reward 😂

[@gordonlewandowski7981]

A wise person once observed, “Everything on your boat is broken - you just don’t know it yet.” And the games continue!

[@WMCC240654]

Love watching your videos.

[@MarkENorman]

Washington State Ferry System, educate your pilots on the rules of the road and make sure they comply.

[@bobrose7900]

What a wonderful video, and no, I would not rather be cutting grass!

[@dade7964]

You guys should stop by Olympia sometime I would love to check out you're boat lol

[@jimandpeggybishop4749]

I guess I can take a hint and move on.

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

Seriously, Sully ALWAYS looks like he's having the time of his life!